Mertice Hostetler Obituary (1924

In Memory OfMertice Hostetler Mertice Hostetler, of Milford died suddenly, Monday, February 21, 2005, at BryanLGH East Medical Center in Lincoln at the age of 80 years 11 months and 3 days. She was born March 18, 1924 in Alda, Nebraska to William and Sarah (Stutzman) Riley, the 6th of 12 children. As a young girl she moved to the Crete area with her family and attended elementary school. In her youth, she accepted Christ as her Saviour and was baptized at East Fairview Mennonite Church near Milford. She was united in marriage to Eldon J. Hostetler on January 4, 1941 and to this union six children Marlin, Ted, Ron, Bonnie, Tom, and Doyle were born. Together they made their first home north of Dorchester, later moving to a farm south of Milford and after Eldon's death, Mertice moved into Milford. She worked at Crestview Care Center and lovingly cooked and baked for the students of Milford High School. In her spare time, she enjoyed babysitting her grandchildren, volunteering her time at Et Cetera in Seward and traveling. She enjoyed bowling, participating in women's league and celebrating many birthdays at the bowling alley. Mertice displayed her competitive spirit in card games and dominos, also learning Bridge later in life. Many hours were spent at the Milford Senior Center where she played cards and quilted with friends. Mertice had a caring heart, always putting others before herself. She often displayed loved through her cooking, always making a point to know each person's favorite food and providing a wide array of baked goods and bread for each family gathering. She lived life with a positive Christ like outlook and viewed every experience as a learning event, often saying "let it be and it will work out". Mertice is a member of Milford Mennonite Church, the Milford Senior Center, and the Gideons. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Marlin and Barb Hostetler, Willis, TX, (Mrs. Ted) Terry Hostetler, Lincoln, Ron and Sherry Hostetler, Milford, Bonnie and Clark Rediger, Milford, Tom and Robin Hostetler, Ames, NE, Doyle and Deb Hostetler, Pleasant Dale, grandchildren and their spouses, Greg Hostetler, Grant Hostetler, Kristi and Louis Sedeta, and Kim Hostetler, all of TX, Heidi and Frank Schmal, Lesley and Mike Hoover, all of Lincoln, Matt and Denise Hostetler, Ogallala, Joe and Marcy Hostetler, Milford, Olivia and Garry Woita, Omaha, Erica and Kevin Anderson, Lincoln, Reed Rediger, Fremont, Adam, Tyler and Thomas Anderson, Ames, NE, Tyson Hostetler, Seward, Aaron, Sarah, Anna and Ella Hostetler, Pleasant Dale, great-grandchildren, John, Jesse, Sadie, Cody, Candace, Jayson, Jake, Christopher, Ashley, Blake, Trentin, Makenna, Elijah, Alexandra, Madison, Elizabeth, Nathan, Loren, Francie and Griffin, sisters and brother-in-law, Elva Reil, Naomi and Darrel Yeackley, all of Milford, brother and sister-in-law, Walt and Jane Riley, Seward, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Cloy and Norma Jean Troyer, OR, Imogene Hostetler, Dorchester, Lois Riley, Milford, Ruth Riley, Austin, TX, Larry and Betty Springer, Milford, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Mertice was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Eldon in 1975, son Ted, brothers, Harvey, Ernie, Les, and Ferman Riley, sisters, Mildred Detweiler, Vera Springer and two infant siblings.